Animal health experts believe the H3N2 strain, which has never been seen in the United States before this year, came from Asia.

The flu can spread from dog to dog, and people can transmit the flu by touching an infected dog and then touching a healthy dog.

Dogs sick with the flu have a cough, runny nose and fever and may be lethargic or eat less. In most cases, the flu passes within a few weeks and the dog makes a full recovery. As with the flu in humans, secondary infections can develop and lead to more serious illness or even death.

At least 200 dogs in North Carolina have contracted the virus so far this year, with at least one suspected case here in the Triangle.

Dr. Jennifer Federico, of Wake County Animal Services, said the flu has surfaced in boarding facilities and doggie daycares.

​"Be a little cautious if you're hearing the dog that you're coming up to to greet coughing a lot. You might not want to greet that dog," she said.

There's no specific vaccine, but a regular, seasonal vaccine can provide some protection.

Clarence HillJul 29, 2015

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is it safe to assume you don't like HSUS?

— Posted by Roy Hinkley

I don't dislike anyone. I can come to dislike a person's deceptive habits.

Roy HinkleyJul 29, 2015

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It should be wise to backtrack the travel history of the Raleigh dog and the 200+ other dogs positive with with the flu. They got that stuff from somebody, somewhere. We don't need an epidemic. HSUS should have exact records, health history and owners of every dog that they have brought into this country--including street-dogs from Russia. So, we need those records made public immediately.

In the U.S. when breeders raise farm dogs--HSUS always yells puppy mills, puppy mills, puppy mills. Snowball looks like a 3-4 months old puppy to me--meaning the USDA ban should apply.

— Posted by Clarence Hill

is it safe to assume you don't like HSUS?

Clarence HillJul 29, 2015

It should be wise to backtrack the travel history of the Raleigh dog and the 200+ other dogs positive with with the flu. They got that stuff from somebody, somewhere. We don't need an epidemic. HSUS should have exact records, health history and owners of every dog that they have brought into this country--including street-dogs from Russia. So, we need those records made public immediately.

In the U.S. when breeders raise farm dogs--HSUS always yells puppy mills, puppy mills, puppy mills. Snowball looks like a 3-4 months old puppy to me--meaning the USDA ban should apply.

Roy HinkleyJul 29, 2015

Third, The animals brought in by HSUS were quarantined and underwent health screenings before being sent to partner shelters.

Roy HinkleyJul 29, 2015

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This flu came from Asia? The Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) has been boasting of importing "meat dogs" from South Korea and other Asian countries. (HSUS says Snowball was one of 80 dogs brought to the U.S. at one time.) The USDA has a ban on importing "puppy mill" dogs from these countries.

If illegal, HSUS and HSI should be held accountable--big time.

— Posted by Clarence Hill

First, why would you think HSUS would do something illegal and yet boast about it in the media? If you're hoping to get traction with a press release you don't do something illegal leading up to it.

Second, snowball was not what most people would call a puppy mill dog. Snowball was a farm animal, being farmed for eventual slaughter.

Clarence HillJul 29, 2015

This flu came from Asia? The Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) has been boasting of importing "meat dogs" from South Korea and other Asian countries. (HSUS says Snowball was one of 80 dogs brought to the U.S. at one time.) The USDA has a ban on importing "puppy mill" dogs from these countries.